Anticariogenic compositions

ABSTRACT

Improved anticariogenic oral preparations having a pH of about 2.5 to about 5.0 comprise an anticariogenically effective amount of a water-soluble aluminum salt in a surfactant-containing emulsion system suitable for use in the mouth.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 121,993 filed Nov. 23, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,954, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 937,196 filed Dec. 2, 1986 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an oral preparation for use in the prevention of dental caries. More particularly, this invention relates to a stable, low-pH emulsion for oral administration as a dental caries prophylactic.

It has been found that aluminum salts can be used in a flavored emulsion with selected nonionic surfactants to produce a cariostatically active low-PH composition that is both stable and palatable to humans. The oral composition may be used in the preparation of a wide variety of products, including mouthwashes, chewing gums, prophylaxis pastes, dentifrices, dental rinses, and lozenges.

Anticariogenic preparations are well known in the art. Topical formulations containing fluoride, stannous fluoride, or sodium fluoride, for example, are known to provide partial protection against dental caries. Although effective dental caries protection has been obtained through the use of such fluoride-containing compounds, occasional side effects have been experienced with certain of the known fluoride-containing anticariogenic agents, particularly certain tin-containing salts. A brownish pigmentation has been noted after anticariogenic agents containing the stannous ion have been applied to the teeth. Although the pigmentation is not necessarily undesirable from a physiological standpoint, for aesthetic reasons, it would be desirable to provide an effective anticariogenic agent that does not discolor enamel.

The utility of fluoride materials has also been limited by the extent of their solubility and stability in aqueous media. For example, sodium fluoride is only soluble to the extent of about 4% in water. Furthermore, because of toxicity concerns, current regulations imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration limit the amount of fluoride that can be provided in products sold for over-the-counter use.

For the foregoing and other reasons, dental researchers have continued their efforts to develop new anticariogenic agents which not only demonstrate a high level of anticariogenic effectiveness but are non-toxic, stable, and widely available. It has been suggested that aluminum salts may have a beneficial effect in reducing dental caries or in facilitating the uptake of fluoride by the dental enamel. See, e.g., Manly, et al., J. Dent. Res. 28: 160 (1948); Regolati, et al., Helv Odont. Acta. 13: 59 (1969); and Kelada, "Electrochemical Characteristics of Free and Complexed Fluorides in drinking Water and the Effects of Aluminum and Iron on Fluoride Incorporation Into Tooth Enamel," Univ. Michigan Thesis (1972).

In vitro studies have shown that pretreatment of enamel with aluminum solutions resulted in increased fluoride uptake when followed by treatment with a fluoride solution; however, treatment with combinations of aluminum and fluoride did not afford any added benefit over that of fluoride alone. McCann, Arch. Oral Biol 14:521 (1969); and Gerhardt, et al., J. Dent Res 51:870 (1972). The foregoing techniques dealt primarily with the use of aluminum in combination with fluorides and did not focus on the effect of aluminum in the absence of fluoride.

Nor has the use of aluminum salts in dentifrices demonstrated a desirable result, primarily because there has been but recent recognition that conventional dentifrice abrasives are incompatible with sources of biologically available aluminum (U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,979). While French Patent No. 3610M describes a specific combination of aluminum lactate, aluminum fluoride, and calcium pyrophosphate, the abrasive interferes with aluminum ion activity by forming insoluble aluminum phosphate. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,095,356 uses aluminum salts such as aluminum fluoride to coact with insoluble sodium metaphosphate abrasives to reduce the solubility of such abrasives and to increase fluoride uptake, but without independent therapeutic advantage being taken of the aluminum.

Canadian Pat. No. 829,272 describes acidic dentifrices comprising a combination of surface active substances and albumen-coagulating substances such as certain carboxylic acid salts of aluminum and other metals. However, this patent fails to teach that the satisfactory use of aluminum ions in dentifrices is dependent upon the use of aluminum compatible constituents, that is, constituents which when present in solution with aluminum ions, do not complex or react with them to render said ions unreactive with the surface of teeth.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,981 describes an alkaline mouthwash composition (pH 7-9) comprising aluminum salts and carboxylic acid. However, that patent teaches that the carboxylic acid is required to stabilize the aluminum in the mouthwash preparation. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,732 teaches that ascorbic and adipic acids can be used to stabilize an aluminum-containing comestible. It further teaches that, in fact, many carboxylic acids interfere with aluminum ions. (Column 5; lines 7-9). There is nothing to suggest the use of aluminum ions without a stabilizing acid, merely that certain carboxylic acids are more compatible with aluminum.

In sum, the prior art has not heretofore suggested a stable anticariogenic preparation of aluminum ions at low pH without the presence of carboxylic acids and/or fluoride. One of the main problems associated with the formulation of such aluminum ion preparations is that aluminum is naturally very astringent, tart-tasting, and produces a profound drying sensation in the oral cavity. Another problem is that aluminum is very reactive and can easily be inactivated by many conventional cosmetic ingredients.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a novel, low-pH composition for inhibiting dental caries employing aluminum in a compatible emulsion system.

A further object is to provide cariostatically effective aluminum-containing oral preparations which are both stable and palatable.

A still further object is to provide new anticariogenic emulsions useful for preparation of mouthwashes, dentifrices, chewing gums, lozenges, and prophylaxis pastes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to anticariogenic aluminum-containing emulsions having a pH of about 2.5 to about 5.0 and adapted for application to teeth. The compositions comprise water-soluble aluminum salts in an amount sufficient to provide an anticariogenic concentration of aluminum ions in an aqueous emulsion stabilized with selected surfactants. Preferably for enhanced palatability the present compositions include, in addition, one or more substances selected from flavor oils, humectants and sweeteners.

Cariostatically active emulsions of this invention may be prepared by a variety of methods so long as aluminum ions are provided in an aqueous medium having a PH in the range of about 2.5 to about 5.0. At pH levels less than 2.5, the emulsion is generally too astringent-tasting, causes erosion of the teeth, and is generally not palatable. Above pH 5.0, substantially all of the aluminum is precipitated as aluminum hydroxide. A preferred pH range for the present formulation is about 3.0 to about 4.5, and more preferably about 3.5 to about 3.9.

The invention features water-soluble aluminum salts in an emulsion. The particular water-soluble aluminum salt employed is not critical, and substantially any nontoxic, water-soluble aluminum ion-containing salt may be used. Suitable water-soluble aluminum salts include aluminum potassium sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum sodium sulfate, aluminum sodium phosphate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, sodium aluminate, and mixtures thereof. Other water-soluble aluminum salts are aluminum acetate, aluminum ammonium sulfate, aluminum bromate, aluminum bromide, aluminum chlorate, aluminum iodide, aluminum lactate, aluminum phenylsulfonate, and potassium aluminate. Aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum chloride are preferred by reason of their wide availability and well-established safety. The aluminum salts are present in an amount sufficient to provide an emulsion having a concentration of available aluminum ions of about 10 to about 50,000 ppm, preferably about 250 to about 10,000 ppm and particularly for mouthwash formulations, most preferably about 500 ppm. "Available aluminum ions" for the purpose of defining this invention are aluminum ions capable of reacting or complexing with a substance of the teeth, including enamel, cementum and dentin. Aluminum ions which are complexed with anionic/chelating substances exhibit little if any reactivity with tooth surfaces.

Representative humectant materials useful in this invention include glycerin, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol and mixtures thereof. Glycerin is the preferred humectant on the basis of cost, availability, and ability to reduce the astringency of the aluminum. Humectant materials are present in the emulsion in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 90 percent by weight, preferably about 5 to about 60 percent by weight, and more preferably, about 5 to about 20 percent by weight. In mouthwash formulations, a humectant is typically used at about 10 percent by weight of the formulation.

The emulsion also includes a sweetening agent. Suitable sweeteners include sucrose, fructose, levulose, and dextrose, and mixtures thereof as well as noncariogenic artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame. Preferably a noncariogenic sweetener is employed in the oral composition of this invention.

Due to the astringent-tasting uncomplexed aluminum compounds, it is typically necessary to utilize a flavoring material to mask effectively the astringent taste. Representative flavoring oils include oils of wintergreen, peppermint, citrus, cassia, cherry, tutti frutti, raspberry, root beer, orange, grape, and other suitable flavor oils. The flavor oils are present in concentrations ranging from about 0.1 to about 5.0 percent by weight and preferably, about 0.2 to about 2.0 percent by weight. For most formulations, no more than about 1.0 weight percent flavor oil is required to obtain acceptable palatability.

The emulsions of this invention are predicated on the discovery that certain surfactants, especially nonionic hydrophilic surfactants, enable formulation of stable, low-pH, flavor oil-aqueous aluminum salt emulsions. The use of such aluminum-compatible surfactants enables the formulation of stable, aqueous systems containing high flavor oil levels, thereby eliminating the need of ethyl alcohol for flavor oil solubilization. Nonionic surfactants, in general, tend to decompose at alkaline PH. They are, however, quite stable under acidic conditions, as is the case for the aluminum compositions of this invention.

Certain classes of cationic and anionic surfactants have also been demonstrated to exhibit surprising compatibility and efficacy in the anticariogenic compositions of this invention. Thus aluminum ions have also been found to retain "activity" in the presence of art-recognized polyalkoxylated, e.g., polyethoxylated and polypropoxylated surfactants, particularly polyalkoxy carboxylates, polyalkoxy sulfates and polyalkoxylated amines. Polyalkoxylated anionic and cationic surfactants possess a sufficient and apparently dominant nonionic character which manifests itself in an unexpected level of compatibility with cationic aluminum. Quarternary ammonium surfactants and amphoteric surfactants derived from the amino acids glycine, cysteine and phenylalanine have also exhibited acceptable compatibility with aluminum ions.

The surfactants used for an aluminum rinse in accordance with this invention are non-toxic and water-soluble, each preferably with a dominant hydrophilic moiety. The hydrophilic surfactants are nonionic or have the aluminum-compatible functionality of nonionic surfactants.

One suitable nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester and preferably, a sorbitan mono fatty ester. More preferably, the sorbitan mono fatty ester surfactant is a polyoxyethylene derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester wherein the ester-forming fatty acid is selected from lauric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. A nonionic surfactant having the desired chemical properties is Tween* 20 from Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. Chemically, it is a polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monolaurate. Another suitable surfactant manufactured by Atlas is SPAN* 80 sorbitan monooleate.

Another suitable nonionic surfactant is one selected from a class of block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide. One such water-soluble, nontoxic, nonionic surfactant is Poloxamer 407 (tradename Pluronic* Fl27) from BASF Wyandotte Company. Its use is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,472 entitled Clear Lemon-flavored Mouthwash. Chemically the Pluronics are block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide containing various amounts of hydrophobe (polyoxypropylene) and hydrophile (polyoxyethylene). The Pluronic* F127 is characterized as a hydrophilic surfactant.

The surfactants and surfactant mixtures employed in this invention have a composite hydrophile-lipophile-balance (HLB) of between about 9 and about 30. Preferably, the sorbitan fatty acid ester is a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan monolaurate having an HLB of about 9 to about 18, preferably about 17, and the block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide has an HLB of about 15 to about 30, preferably about 22.

The block copolymer and the sorbitan fatty acid ester are preferably used in combination in a ratio of about 2:1 to about 200:1, and more preferably, in a ratio of about 4:1 to about 50:1. The present emulsions preferably contain about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight sorbitan fatty acid ester and about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide.

The emulsions of the present invention may also contain water-soluble, fluoride-containing, anticariogenic adjuvants. Preferably such an adjuvant is present in the form of water-soluble, fluoride-containing compounds capable of supplying fluoride ions. The preferred adjuvant is sodium fluoride, although other materials such as sodium monofluorophosphate, stannous fluorozirconate, indium fluorozirconate, stannous fluoride, and complex zirconium-germanium fluorides may be employed. Sodium fluoride is preferred by virtue of the absence of objectionable taste, lack of enamel pigmentation, the freedom from damage to gingival tissue, and by reason of anticariogenic effectiveness obtainable therewith. Other suitable adjuvants include water-soluble fluoride salts such as NH₄ F, SnF₄, KF, InF₃, PbF₂, FeF₂, and LiF, as well as more complex water-soluble, fluoride-containing, adjuvants such as fluorosilicates, fluorozirconates, fluorostannites, fluoroborates, fluorotitanates, fluorogermanates, and mixed halides. Mixtures of suitable adjuvants may also be utilized. Aluminum fluoride may be used to supply both aluminum and fluoride to the system. In general, such fluoride adjuvants are present in anticariogenically effective and non-toxic amounts, typically at a level of about 0.05 up to about 1.0 percent by weight of the dentifrice preparation so as to provide up to about 1000 ppm fluoride ion.

The emulsions of this invention have demonstrated significant utility as anticariogenic agents for use in oral compositions comprising carriers such as water and other non-toxic materials. The compositions of this invention may be applied to teeth in aqueous solution of such carriers as in a topical treatment solution or in the form of a mouthwash. However, the compositions of the present invention are also well-suited for formulation of other oral compositions for dental caries prophylaxis, e.g., dentifrices and prophylaxis pastes/gels containing one or more compatible abrasives, lozenges, and chewing gums. Indeed, substantially any carrier capable of supplying active aluminum agent to the surface of the teeth may be employed in accordance with this invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the emulsion is formed by mixing an aqueous solution of the aluminum salts with a sweetener and a blocked copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide. A second mixture of a polyoxyethylene derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, flavor oil, and glycerin is prepared. The first and second mixtures are thereafter blended to form an emulsion of the present invention.

Emulsions of this invention are employed at their natural pH values, which range from about 2.5 to about 5.0 due to the Lewis acid effect of the aluminum. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the emulsion ranges from about 3.5 to about 3.8. In all cases, the ingredients provided in the emulsions of this invention are selected so as to be compatible with aluminum ions.

Exemplary preparations employing the oral compositions of the present invention are given in the following Examples 1-5.

EXAMPLE 1

    ______________________________________                                          MOUTHWASH PREPARATION                                                         Ingredients           % By Weight                                              ______________________________________                                         Distilled water       85.070                                                   Pluronic* F127 (BASF Wyandotte)                                                                      3.000                                                    AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2 "12H.sub.2 O                                                                     0.885                                                    Sodium saccharin      0.100                                                    Glycerin              10.000                                                   Tween* 20 (ICI Americas)                                                                             0.600                                                    Flavor oil            0.300                                                    5% solution F D & C yellow dye #4                                                                    0.040                                                    5% solution F D & C blue dye #1                                                                      0.005                                                                          100.000%                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

    ______________________________________                                          DENTIFRICE PREPARATION                                                        Ingredients      % By Weight                                                   ______________________________________                                         Abrasive         32.00                                                         Water            20.31                                                         Glycerin         17.50                                                         Sorbitol (70%)   14.00                                                         NaOH (331/3%)    1.00                                                          Binder           1.00                                                          Pluronic F-87    9.00                                                          AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2 "12H.sub.2 O                                                                3.54                                                          Sodium saccharin 0.25                                                          Tween 20         0.80                                                          Cassia flavor    0.40                                                          Methyl paraben   0.15                                                          Prophyl paraben  0.05                                                                           100.00                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3

    ______________________________________                                          LOZENGE PREPARATION                                                           Ingredients      % By Weight                                                   ______________________________________                                         Sorbitol (70%)   97.9                                                          Pluronic F-127   1.2                                                           A1Cl.sub.3 "6H.sub.2 O                                                                          0.5                                                           Tween 80         0.2                                                           Flavorings, color, etc.                                                                         0.2                                                                            100.0                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

    ______________________________________                                          CHEWING GUM PREPARATION                                                       Ingredients      % By Weight                                                   ______________________________________                                         Gum Base         26.0                                                          Sorbitol powder  47.9                                                          Sorbitol (70%)   17.3                                                          Glycerin         4.5                                                           Pluronic F-127   2.0                                                           Tween 60         0.1                                                           AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2 "12H.sub.2 O                                                                1.0                                                           Flavoring        1.2                                                                            100.0                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

    ______________________________________                                          PROPHYLAXIS PASTE PREPARATION                                                 Ingredients       % By Weight                                                  ______________________________________                                         Abrasive          48.0                                                         Water             14.0                                                         Glycerin          10.0                                                         Sorbitol (70%)    6.0                                                          NaOH (331/3%)     2.0                                                          Binders           1.5                                                          Pluronic - F88    8.0                                                          Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3 "9H.sub.2 O                                                                   7.0                                                          Tween 80          1.0                                                          Sweeteners, flavor, etc.                                                                         2.5                                                                            100.0%                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION Rat Dental Caries Study

The significant anticariogenic benefits of the aluminum-containing emulsion of this invention have been demonstrated in a dental caries study performed with rats.

The rat dental caries model used was that recommended by the National Institute of Dental Research NIH, (Larson, R. H. et al., J. Dent. Res., 56:1007-1012, 1977). The study was designed to examine the effect of two experimental aluminum-containing dental rinses (Groups 3 and 4) on dental caries formation in the albino rat. The aluminum rinses were compared to a positive control fluoride rinse (Group 5) and two negative control cells consisting of water (Group 1) and a placebo rinse (Group 2). Furthermore, since aluminum has been demonstrated to enhance the effect of fluoride, a double treatment group (Group 6) was included in which the animals were treated first with aluminum followed by fluoride

Twenty litters of eight weanling Wistar strain rats were randomly distributed into eight equal groups of 20 animals according to sex, body weight, and litter mates. The rats were weighed initially, at one month, provided with NIDR cariogenic diet 2000 and distilled drinking water for the ten-week study.

All weanling rats initially were inoculated with the caries-inducing microorganisms, Streptococcus mutans 6715. The molars of the rats were swabbed with a 24-hour culture of the S. mutans 6715 and the residual was placed in their drinking water at a 1:100 dilution. The inoculations were repeated for 3 consecutive days to insure implantation of the microorganism.

The formulae for preparation of the dental rinse solutions used for treatment Groups 2-5 in the study are set forth in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Dental Rinse Formulae for Rat Dental Caries Study                                         Percentage by Weight                                                                                       Group                                                Group 2  Group 3   Group 4                                                                               5                                       Ingredients  Placebo  AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2                                                                      AlCl.sub.3                                                                            NaF                                     ______________________________________                                         Distilled water                                                                             85.955   84.177    85.062 85.800                                  Pluronic* F127                                                                              3.000    3.000     3.00   3.000                                   Aluminum potassium                                                                          --       1.758     --     --                                      sulfate                                                                        dodecahydrate                                                                  Aluminum chloride                                                                           --       --        0.893  --                                      hexahydrate                                                                    Sodium fluoride                                                                             --       --        --     0.155                                   Sodium saccharin                                                                            0.100    0.100     0.100  0.100                                   Glycerin     10.000   10.000    10.000 10.000                                  Tween*       0.600    0.600     0.600  0.600                                   Citrus flavor                                                                               0.300    0.300     0.300  0.300                                   FD&C yellow dye #4                                                                          0.040    0.040     0.040  0.040                                   (5% solution)                                                                  FD&C blue dye #1                                                                            0.005    0.005     0.005  0.005                                   (5% solution)                                                                  Sodium hydroxide                                                                            --       q.s.      q.s.   --                                      (331/3%)                                                                       Final pH     6.5      3.8       3.8    6.5                                     ______________________________________                                    

The dental rinse solutions were prepared in accordance with the following procedure. The aluminum salt (or NaF) was first dissolved in 90% of the water with stirring. The sodium saccharin was then dissolved in the solution, following by the Pluronic* Fl27 surfactant. The solution was stirred for about one hour to totally dissolve the Pluronic* Fl27. The Tween* 20 and flavor oil were mixed in a separate container and the glycerin was subsequently added to and mixed with the flavor-oil Tween* 20 solution. The oil-surfactant mixture was slowly added to the aqueous mixture with stirring to form a clear emulsion. Coloring dyes were then added to the dental rinses. The pH of the aluminum rinses was slowly adjusted to 3.8 with the sodium hydroxide. The rinses were quantitatively transferred to a volumetric container of appropriate size, filled with the remaining distilled water, and used throughout the entire study.

Each hemijaw of each rat was swabbed for 15 seconds with the respective dental rinse twice daily, five days per week. The group treatment sequence was varied each day in order to minimize any potential error due to time of day of treatment.

After final weighing, the treated rats were sacrificed in pairs by chloroform inhalation and decapitated. The mandibles and maxillas were then surgically removed and defleshed in preparation for caries scoring. All animals were coded to prevent identification of the treatment vs. control groups by the examiner.

Dental caries was determined by scoring the number and severity of carious areas in sectioned teeth. The mandibles and maxillas were soaked overnight in an aqueous 0.05% ammonium purpurate (Murexide) solution to stain the decayed enamel. The buccal, lingual, and morsal surfaces were scored using a binocular dissection microscope and the location and size of lesions recorded on individual caries scoring charts. The hemijaws were subsequently sectioned mesially-distally into halves and graded for sulcal and proximal lesions.

The dental caries results are summarized in Table 2. This table includes the average final weight, smooth surface caries, and fissure caries scores, the percent reductions, and the statistical results. The smooth surface caries data, which are a combination of the buccal, lingual, and proximal lesion scores, represent the amount of dental decay observed on the outer surfaces of the rat teeth. The results demonstrated that the AlCl₃, AlK(SO₄)₂, and NaF rinses (Groups 3, 4, and 5, respectively) significantly reduced smooth surface dental caries by 43, 37, and 37%, respectively.

Numerically, the best reduction in smooth surface caries was observed for Group 6, which received the dual phase treatment of AlCl₃ and NaF. Although the 51% reduction observed for this double treatment group was significantly different from the controls, it was not statistically better than the 37% reductions observed for the individual NaF or AlCl₃ treatments

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SUMMARY OF RAT DENTAL CARIES STUDY                                                             Final Wt. (gm)                                                                         Smooth Surface Caries                                                                      Fissure Caries                             Group                                                                              Treatment.sup.a                                                                        pH                                                                               n Score.sup.b                                                                        Sig..sup.c                                                                         Score.sup.b                                                                        Red..sup.c                                                                         Sig..sup.c                                                                         Score.sup.b                                                                        Red..sup.c                                                                         Sig..sup.c                         __________________________________________________________________________     1   Distilled water                                                                        6.5                                                                              20                                                                               239 none                                                                               11.10                                                                              --  3,4,5,6                                                                            24.45                                                                              --  3,4,5,6                            2   Placebo 6.5                                                                              20                                                                               241 none                                                                               11.40                                                                              --  3,4,5,6                                                                            26.80                                                                              --  3,4,5,6                            3   AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2                                                                    3.8                                                                              20                                                                               241 none                                                                               6.45                                                                               43% 1,2 17.35                                                                              35% 1,2,5,6                            4   AlCl.sub.3                                                                             3.8                                                                              20                                                                               246 none                                                                               7.20                                                                               37% 1,2 17.35                                                                              35% 1,2,5,6                            5   NaF     6.5                                                                              20                                                                               237 none                                                                               7.15                                                                               37% 1,2  7.45                                                                              72% 1-4                                6   AlCl.sub.3 & NaF                                                                       --                                                                               20                                                                               242 none                                                                               5.55                                                                               51% 1,2  6.75                                                                              75% 1-4                                __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a All active agents present at a concentration of 0.037 Molar             .sup.b Mean value, n = 20                                                      .sup.c The numbers represent the treatment groups which are significantly      different according to the NewmanKeuls statistical test.                 

(Groups 4 and 5, respectively). However, these data seem to indicate that aluminum may enhance the effect of fluoride.

The fissure caries results also summarized in Table 2 are a combination of the sulcal and morsal lesions and represent the amount of dental decay observed in the pit and fissure areas of the rat molars. The results demonstrated that AlCl₃ and AlK(SO₄)₂ (Groups 3 and 4), significantly reduced the number of fissure caries by 35% each. NaF (Group 5) significantly reduced fissure caries by 72%. Group 6, treated first with AlCl₃, and then NaF, resulted in the greatest reduction in fissure caries of 75%.

The overall results demonstrated that the ingredients used to formulate the dental rinse vehicle did not inactivate the aluminum or fluoride and did not possess any anticariogenic properties themselves. The rats in all six groups exhibited consistent and equivalent weight gains. This, coupled with the fact that no deaths occurred during the ten-week study period, provided further evidence regarding the lack of toxicity of aluminum. Thus, the dental rinse formulation was safe and effective to use as a vehicle for administering the aluminum in the human dental caries clinical study.

Human Dental Caries Clinical Investigation

A human clinical investigation was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a topically-applied aluminum dental rinse prepared in accordance with the subject invention in reducing the incidence of dental caries compared with a positive control fluoride dentifrice. AlK(SO₄)₂ was used in the human dental caries study because of its GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A total of 260 elementary school children having a high incidence of caries was selected from three schools located in a low-fluroide area (0.4 ppm F or less in the water supply). All children who were caries-free or had fissure sealants or orthodontic appliances were excluded. This precaution minimized the natural interference and variability these factors introduce into a dental caries clinical study. The children were examined both clinically and radiographically for dental caries and stratified into three groups. Group 1 served as the positive control and received a fluoridated dentifrice approved by the American Dental Association. Group 2 was given an experimental dental rinse containing 0.81% aluminum potassium sulfate with the pH adjusted to 3.8. In order the examine the anticariogenic effect of aluminum, it was essential that the subjects in Group 2 were not exposed to any exogenous sources of fluoride during the study. This necessitated: (1) conducting the study in an area where there was minimal fluoride content in the drinking water and (2) providing the children in Group 2 with a non-fluoride dentifrice. Group 3 received the same rinse as Group 2, but was supplied with the same fluoride dentifrice as Group 1 in order to examine the synergistic effect of aluminum and fluoride. For ethical reasons there was no placebo. The experimental groups were compared to the fluoride dentifrice positive group.

The dental rinses were self-administered under direct supervision at school after the noon meal, 5 days per week. When school was not in session, the rinses were self-applied at home under parental supervision. The procedure consisted of rinsing for 30 seconds each day with 10 ml of the dental rinse. After one month, the children were examined for gingivitis, mucosal irritations, enamel decalcification, etc., but no significant side effects were observed.

After six months, the children were again examined clinically and radiographically for dental caries. Because all groups exhibited a significant or directionaly positive effect at the six-month examination, the study was allowed to continue for a one-year examination period. At all times the double-blind status of the test was maintained. Examiner efficiency was maintained by scheduling reasonable numbers of examinations per session with adequate rest periods.

The dental rinses were as similar in appearance and taste as possible and were formulated in a form most palatable to children. The particular flavor of the rinses were changed periodically to provide variety and to maintain interest. Each batch was checked for enamel solubility reduction (ESR) in the laboratory before distribution in order to ensure cariostatic activity of the formulation.

The ESR tests were performed using the method described by Putt and Kleber (J. Dent. Res., 64:437-440, 1985).

Table 3 presents the ESR data for the six various flavored aluminum rinses utilized in the clinical study. Enamel dissolution by acid was reduced by approximately 70% after treatment with the aluminum dental rinses. The data indicated that all the aluminum-containing formulations were highly active and no significant incompatibilities occurred between aluminum and the other dental rinse ingredients. Placebo formulations without aluminum demonstrated no effect whatsoever in reducing enamel solubility, verifying that the aluminum was the active component.

Participants in Group 1 and 3 received adequate supplies of toothbrushes and a standard fluoride dentifrice (Crest*) repackaged in unmarked white tubes to use at home according to their normal oral hygiene habits. Participants in Group 2 were supplied in like manner with a standard non-fluoride dentifrice (Pepsodent*).

Examinations were performed by two dentists experienced in conducting dental caries studies. The techniques employed in the dental caries examinations were those recommended by the 1955 A.D.A. Dental Caries Symposium, the Ohio State Symposium, the 1961 Zurich Caries Symposium, and the 1968 A.D.A. Conference on the Clinical Testing of Cariostatic Agents.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     REDUCTION IN ENAMEL SOLUBILITY BY VARIOUS                                      FLAVORED DENTAL RINSES USED IN HUMAN CLINICAL STUDY                            Dental Rinse.sup.a          Enamel Solubility                                  Active Agent Flavor    pH                                                                               n  Reduction Score.sup.b                              __________________________________________________________________________     0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.3% citrus-mint                                                                         3.8                                                                              3  74 ± 3                                          0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.075% cassia                                                                            3.8                                                                              6  71 ± 1                                          0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.3% lemon                                                                               3.8                                                                              4  63 ± 2                                          0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.3% grape                                                                               3.8                                                                              6  64 ± 3                                          0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.3% pineapple                                                                           3.8                                                                              6  69 ± 4                                          0.885% AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O                                                      0.3% strawberry                                                                          3.8                                                                              6  72 ± 3                                          None         0.075% cassia                                                                            6.8                                                                              3  -7 ± 5                                          None         0.3% lemon                                                                               6.8                                                                              3  -8 ± 9                                          __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a All rinses prepared according to formula in Example 1, except for       the pineapple flavor in which 1.2% Tween 20 was used.                          .sup.b Mean ± standard error                                          

During the examination procedures neither the examiners nor the trained recorder had knowledge of the previous diagnosis or the group assignments. Two film, bite-wing radiographs were obtained immediately following the clinical examination. The radiographs were developed on-site and retakes obtained as needed.

The subjects were randomly assigned to the study groups after stratification based on dental caries susceptibility, dental age, and past dental caries experience. Control and test subjects were examined in random order. Only permanent teeth were included in the examination and diagnostic findings were recorded by teeth and surfaces. When lesions had been restored, they were recorded. Extracted teeth were recorded as were erupted noncarious teeth. Visual dental caries examination findings were called out in code to a trained recorder who wrote the information on an individual patient chart for each clinical examination.

The clinical dental caries findings were expressed in terms of the average increase in the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) per person in each group. The various components of each index, and the distribution on the various surfaces (occlusal, buccal-lingual, and proximal) were also obtained. A separate category was tabulated for teeth erupting during the study.

The six-month results for the aluminum rinse dental caries study are presented in Table 4. These results demonstrated clinically that aluminum is effective in reducing dental caries in humans.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DENTAL CARIES INCREMENTS AFTER SIX MONTHS                                      Treatment       DMFT               DMFS                                        Group                                                                              Rinse Dentifrice                                                                           N Mean                                                                               SEM.sup.c                                                                          % Red                                                                              Sig  Mean                                                                               SEM.sup.c                                                                          % Red                                                                              Sig                             __________________________________________________________________________                     Examiner A                                                     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       77                                                                               1.00                                                                               0.162                                                                              --  --   1.62                                                                               0.268                                                                              --  --                              2   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Placebo                                                                              80                                                                               0.58                                                                               0.168                                                                              42% p = .04                                                                             1.04                                                                               0.265                                                                              36% p = .06                         3   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       80                                                                               0.59                                                                               0.140                                                                              41% p = .03                                                                             0.89                                                                               0.215                                                                              45% p = .02                                         Examiner B                                                     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       77                                                                               0.75                                                                               0.141                                                                              --  --   1.22                                                                               0.233                                                                              --  --                              2   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Placebo                                                                              80                                                                               0.57                                                                               0.136                                                                              24% p = .18                                                                             0.92                                                                               0.200                                                                              25% p = 0.16                        3   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       80                                                                               0.67                                                                               0.154                                                                              10% p = .35                                                                             0.97                                                                               0.220                                                                              21% p = 0.22                        __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a Crest.sup.  ®  With Fluoristat; contains 1100 ppm F as NaF          .sup.b Contains 500 ppm Al.sup.+3 as AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12 H.sub.2 O, pH      3.8                                                                            .sup.c Standard error of the mean                                        

The data in Table 4 demonstrate the differences (W) in decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) observed by both examiners after six months. The results for Examiner A demonstrated that: (10 a 30-second rinse with a 500 ppm aluminum solution five days per week reduced the DMFT and DMFS significantly better than daily use of a positive control fluoride dentifrice by 42% and 36%, respectively; and (2) the use of the aluminum rinse in combination with fluoride dentifrice resulted in similar statistically significant reductions in DMFT and DMFS of 41% and 45% respectively, compared to the fluoride dentifrice positive control group. The results of Examiner B likewise demonstrated that the two aluminum rinse groups reduced dental caries better than the fluoride positive control group.

The increments in DMFT and DMFS observed by both examiners after one year are presented in Table 5. The results confirmed the 6-month data that aluminum is effective in reducing dental caries in humans. For the most part, the results paralleled the findings for both examiners at six months. The results for Examiner A demonstrated that: (1) the 500 ppm aluminum dental rinse reduced WDMFT and WDMFS significantly better than daily use of a positive control fluoride dentifrice by 38% and 40% respectively; and (2) the use of aluminum rinse in combination with fluoride dentifrice resulted in similar statistically significant reductions in WDMFT and WDMFS of 32% and 32%, respectively, compared to the fluoride dentifrice positive control group. Thus, the significant caries reductions for aluminum observed by Examiner A at six months were still apparent after one year.

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DENTAL CARIES INCREMENTS AFTER ONE YEAR                                        Treatment       DMFT               DMFS                                        Group                                                                              Rinse Dentifrice                                                                           N Mean                                                                               SEM.sup.c                                                                          % Red                                                                              Sig  Mean                                                                               SEM.sup.c                                                                          % Red                                                                              Sig                             __________________________________________________________________________                     Examiner A                                                     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       78                                                                               1.33                                                                               0.21                                                                               --  --   2.15                                                                               0.35                                                                               --  --                              2   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Placebo                                                                              79                                                                               0.83                                                                               0.19                                                                               38% p = .04                                                                             1.29                                                                               0.28                                                                               40% p = .04                         3   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       77                                                                               0.91                                                                               0.16                                                                               32% p = .06                                                                             1.47                                                                               0.28                                                                               32% p = .06                                         Examiner B                                                     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       78                                                                               1.12                                                                               0.17                                                                               --  --   1.90                                                                               0.26                                                                               --  --                              2   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Placebo                                                                              79                                                                               1.04                                                                               0.17                                                                                7% p = 0.37                                                                            1.59                                                                               0.24                                                                               16% p = 0.19                        3   Aluminum.sup.b                                                                       Fluoride.sup.a                                                                       77                                                                               1.06                                                                               0.19                                                                                5% p = 0.40                                                                            1.66                                                                               0.32                                                                               13% p = 0.28                        __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a Crest.sup. ®  With Fluoristat; contains 1100 ppm F as NaF           .sup.b Contains 500 ppm Al.sup.+3 as AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2 O, pH       3.8                                                                            .sup.c Standard error of the mean                                        

The results of Examiner B likewise demonstrated that the two aluminum rinse groups reduced dental caries better than the fluoride positive control group. However, all the percentage reductions were slightly less than Examiner A. This is believed to have resulted from the fact that Examiner B was not as critical as Examiner A in scoring incipient dental caries. The lack of additional cariostatic benefit for aluminum after one year was probably the result of the low decay rate during the second six-month period and the reduced usage of the aluminum rinses by the subjects due to unsupervised rinsing during the summer vacation period.

Table 6 lists the number of reversals in dental caries observed in each group for both examiners at the six-month and one-year examinations, which is indicative of remineralization or "healing" of incipient lesions. In all cases the two aluminum rinse groups results in a much greater number of reversals and of subjects with reversals than in the fluoride positive control. This was a very significant finding because it is known that fluoride is effective in remineralizing incipient lesions. Thus, reversals would be expected for the fluoride positive control. A greater percentage of the reversals was noted in the two aluminum groups for both examiners after both six and twelve months. For Examiner A, a greater percentage of subjects in the fluoride positive control group exhibited an increase in dental caries compared to the two aluminum groups.

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN DENTAL CARIES IN THE STUDY POPULATION                                    Percent Change in Dental Caries of Study Population                            Six Months        One Year                                                     Examiner A                                                                              Examiner B                                                                              Examiner A                                                                              Examiner B                          Group                                                                              Rinse Dentifrice                                                                           Rev.                                                                              NC.                                                                               Inc.                                                                              Rev.                                                                              NC.                                                                               Inc.                                                                              Rev.                                                                              NC.                                                                               Inc.                                                                              Rev.                                                                              NC.                                                                               Inc.                          __________________________________________________________________________     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride                                                                             12%                                                                               26%                                                                               62%                                                                               12%                                                                               38%                                                                               51%                                                                               10%                                                                               24%                                                                               65%                                                                                4%                                                                               36%                                                                               60%                           2   Aluminum                                                                             Placebo                                                                              19%                                                                               36%                                                                               45%                                                                               20%                                                                               24%                                                                               56%                                                                               15%                                                                               35%                                                                               49%                                                                               11%                                                                               27%                                                                               62%                           3   Aluminum                                                                             Fluoride                                                                             19%                                                                               34%                                                                               48%                                                                               13%                                                                               40%                                                                               48%                                                                               14%                                                                               30%                                                                               56%                                                                               13%                                                                               32%                                                                               56%                           __________________________________________________________________________      Rev. = Reversal in Dental Caries                                               NC. = No Change in Dental Caries                                               Inc. = Increase in Dental Caries                                         

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     NUMBER OF CARIES-FREE SUBJECTS OF EACH EXAMINATION                                             Caries-Free Subjects                                                           Examiner A         Examiner B                                  Treatment       Initial                                                                               6-Month                                                                              1-Year                                                                               Initial                                                                              6-Month                                                                              1-Year                          Group                                                                              Rinse Dentifrice                                                                           N  (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%)                           __________________________________________________________________________     1   Placebo                                                                              Fluoride                                                                             10 (12%)                                                                              8 (10%)                                                                              6 (8%)                                                                               15                                                                               (17%)                                                                              8 (10%)                                                                              7  (9%)                         2   Aluminum                                                                             Placebo                                                                              9  (10%)                                                                              7 (9%)                                                                               8 (10%)                                                                              14                                                                               (16%)                                                                              8 (10%)                                                                              8 (10%)                         3   Aluminum                                                                             Fluoride                                                                             7   (8%)                                                                              5 (6%)                                                                               6 (8%)                                                                               11                                                                               (13%)                                                                              8 (10%)                                                                              9 (12%)                         __________________________________________________________________________

Table 7 presents the number and percentage of subjects having caries-free permanent dentition during the course of the study. The number of subjects in the fluoride control group declined by one-half, while essentially no change was observed in the number of caries-free subjects in the two aluminum groups.

To investigate the possible cariostatic mechanism of aluminum, the clinical data for Examiner A were reanalyzed in three different ways: (1) the dental caries data for each group were broken down into subcategories with respect to tooth location and tooth surface type; (2) the new permanent teeth erupting during the study were examined for caries developing in each group; and (3) the reversal data for each group were subcategorized with respect to tooth location and surface.

This analysis indicated that the greatest caries protection afforded by the aluminum rinses occurred on the buccal surfaces of the posterior teeth (although the overall decay rate for buccal surfaces was not that high compared to the occlusal and interproximal surfaces). Because the children held the aluminum rinse predominantly between their cheeks and the buccal surfaces of the posterior teeth while mouth rinsing, it is consistent that the buccal surfaces exhibited the greatest reduction in decay because of the longer contact time with the aluminum.

In general, the aluminum rinse provided its second greatest cariostatic effect on the occlusal surfaces compared to the fluoride positive control. Ordinarily fluoride provides the least effect on the occlusal surfaces. Consequently, administration of aluminum in a chewing gum vehicle may enable even more prolonged contact with the occlusal surfaces, thus providing a means of protecting an area that is both very susceptible to decay and generally unprotected by fluoride.

The aluminum rinse also provided a good effect interproximaly, but had a minimal effect on the lingual surfaces. However, the lingual surfaces likewise developed minimal dental caries.

Analysis of dental decay developing in the new permanent teeth that erupted during the course of the study demonstrated that very few of the newly erupted teeth in all three groups became carious. After one year only 10% of the newly erupted teeth in the fluoride positive control exhibited any decay on their surfaces. Even a lesser amount of decay (5% to 1%) was observed for the two aluminum groups. The predominant location for new carious development was the posterior occlusal surface. It appears that the aluminum-fluoride dual treatment may provide its greatest effect on newly erupting teeth.

Further analysis of the number and locations of reversals in DMFS occurring after six months and one year demonstrated that the majority of reversals occurred in the posterior dentition, predominantly with respect to the occlusal and interproximal surfaces. Moreover, the two aluminum rinse groups resulted in approximately twice as many reversals as fluoride in these two locations, especially in the interproximal locations. It therefore appears that aluminum provides greater remineralization of incipient lesions in those two surfaces most susceptible to dental decay.

The one-year dental caries clinical study demonstrated that aluminum in an acidic (PH 3.8) mouthwash emulsion, formed without use of stabilizing carboxylic acids, is a safe and effective agent in reducing the incidence of dental caries in humans. The study has given a strong indication that aluminum is actually superior to fluoride in cariostatic potential. Moreover, in this clinical study the odds were in favor of the Crest dentifrice fluoride positive control. It was probably used more than the aluminum rinse (daily versus 4-5 times per week), it contained more cariostatic agent (1100 ppm F versus 500 ppm Al⁺³), and it has been clinically proven to prevent dental decay by 40%, compared to the approximately 25% reductions noted for most other commercial fluoride dentifrices.

Surfactant Compatibility Study

Representative samples of surfactants from common chemical subclasses within each class (anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric) of surfactants were selected and examined for their effect on enamel solubility reduction (ESR) using the procedure described by Applicants in J. Dent. Res., 64:437-440 (1985). Results from these studies are presented in Tables 8 and 9.

    TABLE 8       ESR, pH, AND VISUAL APPEARANCE OF ANIONIC, NONIONIC, CATIONIC, AND      AMPHOTERIC SURFACTANTS SURFACTANT CALCIUM ESR PHOSPHORUS ESR 1% CONC. 1      PTD 4 PTD 1 PTD 4 PTD TYPE OF SURFACTANT EXAMPLE TESTED TRADE NAME      SOURCE pH SOL. MN SD MN SD MN SD MN SD        CONTROL distilled water none stock 6.6 tr 2 7 -6 6 14 17 -2 18 I.      ANIONIC A. Carboxylates 1. regular sodium stearate none stock 10.7 cl,      fm 10 7 -17 8 13 9 -19 9 2. polyalkoxycarboxylates  Sandopan MS-40      Sandoz 6.1 tr 8 8 -4 1 2 2 -4 1 B. N-Acylsarcosinates Na lauryl sarcosine       Hamposyl L WR Grace 3.3 i,ppt.26 8 8 8 20 10 5 4  Na lauryl sarcosinate      Hamposyl L.30 WR Grace 6.6 tr 12 10 -25 14 4 10 -27 7 C. Acylated      Protein none none none       Hydrolysates D. Sulfonates 1. alkylbenzenesulfonates  Conco AAS-45S Con      Chem 2. alkylarenesulfonates 3. lignosulfonates 4. naphthalenesulfonates       Daxad 11 WR Grace 6.6 tr -4 2 2 10 -7 2 -1 8 5. a-olefinsulfonates      Conco AOS-40 Con Chem 6. petroleum sulfonates 7. dialkylsultosuccinates      Aerosol OT Am Cyn 5.7 tr -4 7 -3 14 -6 10 -7 13 8. amidosulfonates      Concogel Con Chem 9. acyl isethionates  Dowfax 2A1 Dow Chem 7.5 tr 1 2      -8 3 -2 3 -11 1 E. Sulfates and  Sulfonated Products 1. alcohol sulfates      Na lauryl sulfate  stock 8.0 tr, fm -3 14 -18 10 -3 10 -21 12 2.      ethoxylated alcohol  Conco Sulfate-219 Con Chem  sulfates 3. ethoxylated      alkylphenol  Triton X-301 Rohm/Haas 6.7 tr -1 6 -10 9 1 4 -13 7      sulfates 4. sulfated acids, amides,  & esters 5. sulfated oils & fats F.      Phosphate Esters Na nonoxynol-6 Emphos CS-1361 Witco  phosphate II.      NONIONIC A. Ethoxylates 1. alcohol ethoxylates  Brig 35 ICI Amer 3.6 tr      17 1 -6 13 21 1 -5 13  alkylated polyether Triton X-100 Rohm/Haas 4.1      tr, fm 8 7 -5 12 7 6 -5 14  alcohol 2. alkylphenol ethoxylates  Igepal      CO-660 GAF Co 6.6 tr 26 1 -3 6 24 1 -7 10 B. Carboxylic (Fatty)  Acid      Esters 1. glycerol esters glycerol monostearate Adacel 165 ICI Amer      glycerol & polyoxy- Arlacel 165 ICI Amer 4.7 v cl -5 7 -15 9 -7 7 -18 7      ethylene stearate 2. polyoxyethylene esters  Myrj 525 ICI Amer 6.1 tr -1      6 -2 4 -2 6 -7 5  polyoxyethylene 20 Arlasolve 200 ICI Amer 4.1 tr 2 8      -6 8 1 8 -7 7  isohexadecyl ether 3. anhydrosorbitol esters  Span 20 ICI      Amer 5.7 cl -3 5 -14 9 -3 4 -13 6   Span 40 ICI Amer   Span 60 ICI Amer      7.3 cl 0 3 0 2 2 6 -3 2 4. ethoxylated  Tween 20 ICI Amer 4.8 tr 17 2 -8      9 17 4 --13 9  anhydrosorbitol esters  Tween 60 ICI Amer 4.4 s. cl 15 6      -4 1 15 7 -6 2   Tween 80 ICI Amer 5. ethoxylated fats, oils, ethoxylated       castor Emulphor EL719 GAF Co 6.6 tr 1 12 -16 10 4 8 -11 6  & waxes oil      polyoxyethylene Atlox 1045A ICI Amer 7.0 v. cl -1 7 -2 6 6 17 1 7      sorbitol oleate-  laurate  polyoxyethylene G-1441 ICI Amer 7.6 s. cl 8 7      -12 9 4 12 -11 10  sorbitol lanolin 6. glycerol esters of diethylene      glycol  stock 6.1 i 7 2 -8 8 8 3 -8 10  fatty acids distearate C.      Carboxylic Amides 1. diethanolamine  Condensate PO Con Chem  condensates      2. monoalkanolamine       condensates 3. polyoxyethylene fatty PEG-6-lauramide Amidox L-5 Stepan      9.5 tr 0 4 -3 8 -1 5 -2 7  acid amides D. Polyalkene Oxide  Block      Copolymers 1. poly(oxyethylene-  Pluronic F127 ICI Amer 5.6 tr, fm -3 11      -7 0 -6 13 -13 3  co-oxypropylene)  Pluronic F87 ICI Amer 6.1 tr, fm 21      1 -3 4 21 3 -7 2 III. CATIONIC A. Amines 1. oxygen-free amines 2. amine      oxides lauramine oxide Armonyx LO Stepan 7.5 tr, fm 26 3 -8 9 24 2 -8 7      3. alkylamine ethoxylates  Triton RW-75 Rohm/Haas 10.8 tr -6 8 -11 6 -7      5 -16 2 4. ethylenediamine  Tetronic BASF Wyn 9.0 tr -11 10 -2 3 -16 5      -9 5  alkoxylates  Polyol-704 5. amines with amide       linkages B. Quarternary coco dimethlammonium Andogen 464 Aldrich 3.9      cl, fm 9 7 -11 3 13 5 -9 2  Ammonium Salts salt  quarternary ammonium      G-3634A ICI Amer 5.0 tr 1 9 -8 0 -2 9 -8 7  derivative G-263 ICI Amer      3.9 tr 0 1 -7 3 -3 1 -11 5 IV. AMPHOTERIC A. Amino Acids glycine   6.2      tr 3 6 0 14 5 7 -3 17  cysteine   4.4 tr 6 13 6 9 7 12 7 6  arginine      11.0 tr -6 10 -17 24 8 9 -2 19  aspartic   2.9 tr -16 5 -15 12 -8 5 -13      15  phenylalanine   5.6 tr 14 12 0 19 13 8 0 18 B. Imidazolinium alkyl      betaine Emcol CC37-18 Witco      Abbreviations: tr = transparent or clear, cl = cloudy, i = insoluble, fm      foamy, ppt = precipitate, v = very, s = slightly

Table 8 presents the data for the surfactant samples tested without aluminum present. The table lists the chemical class name of the surfactant, the example tested, its corresponding trade name and manufacturer, if appropriate, the pH and visible appearance of a 1% test concentration, and the resulting enamel solubility reduction (ESR) scores. ESR scores represent the percent degree to which the surfactant treatment was able to reduce the dissolution of tooth enamel in acid, both immediately after treatment (1 PTD scores) and following four additional acid demineralizations (4 PTD scores). The higher the score, the better the efficiency of the treatment solution.

In addition to calculating the ESR scores from the amount of enamel calcium found in the demineralization solutions, enamel phosphorous was also measured as a check. Although essentially equivalent, both the calcium and phosphorous ESR scores are presented. Three replicates were conducted in order to establish the mean (MN) and standard deviation (SD) values. Comparing the ESR data in Table 8 to the distilled water control, it is apparent that none of the surfactants by themselves had any significant effect in reducing the acid solubility of enamel. The slight effect noted for Hamposyl L, Igepal CO-660, Pluronic F87, and Ammonyx LO was probably due to a slight coating of the tooth surface by the surfactant. Indeed the 4 PTD scores show that this effect was totally transient with no residual benefit. Most of the surfactant resulted in transparent (tr) aqueous solutions, although some produced cloudy (cl) and even insoluble (i) mixtures.

The corresponding pH, visual compatibility, and ESR data for the same surfactants combined with 0.005 M AlK(SO₄)₂ "12H₂ O are presented in Table 9. A low concentration of 0.005 M aluminum was used so that any minor interference caused by the surfactants would be more readily detected by the ESR procedure. From the data, it is apparent that, compared to the aluminum positive control, the anionic surfactant types generally are not compatible with aluminum and significantly diminish its ability to reduce the acid dissolution of enamel. This is not totally unexpected since the negative charge of such anionic surfactants can combine with the positively charged aluminum cations to inactivate them. Interestingly, the Sandopan MS-40 anionic surfactant is an exception. Sandopan MS-40, a polyethoxycarboxylate, had excellent ESR scores, and could be used in the present aluminum-containing anticariogenic systems. The anionic Triton X-301, an ethoxylated alkylphenol sulfate, also gave an acceptable ESR.

The uncharged, nonionic surfactants resulted in ESR scores indicative of good compatibility with aluminum. All of the positively charged cationic amine surfactants, except for Tetronic Polyol 704 were incompatible with aluminum. Apparently polyalkoxylation of the ethylenediamine moiety results in a predominant aluminum compatible nonionic-like character comparable to the character described for the polyalkoxycarboxylates (sandopan MS-40) above.

    TABLE 9       ESR, pH, AND VISUAL APPEARANCE OF 0.005M ALUMINUM WITH ANIONIC,      NONIONIC, CATIONIC, AND AMPHOTERIC SURFACTANTS .005M ALUM + CALCIUM ESR      PHOSPHORUS ESR 1% SURFACTANT 1 PTD PTD 1 PTD 4 PTD TYPE OF SURFACTANT      EXAMPLE TESTED TRADE NAME SOURCE pH SOL. MN SD MN SD MN SD MN SD        CONTROL AlK (SO4)2-12H2O alum Baker 4.0 tr 80 3 59 5 81 3 61 6 I.      ANIONIC A. Carboxylates 1. regular sodium stearate none stock 9.4 ppt, v      cl 47 11 23 5 50 11 23 4 2. polyalkoxycarboxylates  Sandopan MS-40      Sandoz 3.9 s cl 69 5 31 14 70 3 34 12 B. N-Acylsarcosinates Na lauryl      sarcosine Hamposyl L WR Grace 2.5 i, ppt 57 12 28 2 57 11 31 3  Na      lauryl sarcosinate Hamposyl L-30 WR Grace 3.4 ppt, cl 43 4 20 7 46 4 21      9 C. Acylated Protein none none none  Hydrolysates D. Sulfonates 1.      alkylbenzenesulfonates  Conco AAS-45S Con Chem 2. alkylarenesulfonates      3. lignosulfonates 4. naphthalenesulfonates  Daxad 11 WR Grace 4.2 ppt,      cl 56 2 37 8 56 1 36 8 5. a-olefinsulfonates  Conco AOS-40 Con Chem 6.      petroleum sulfonates 7. dialkylsulfosuccinates  Aerosol OT Am Cyn 4.1      ppt, cl 27 7 -12 16 27 2 -9 13 8. amidosulfonates  Concogel Con Chem 9.      acyl isethionates  Dowfax 2A1 Dow Chem 4.1 ppt, s cl 69 4 31 10 66 11 28      9 E. Sulfates and  Sulfonated Products 1. alcohol sulfates Na lauryl      sulfate  stock 4.2 ppt, fm 56 4 27 10 56 2 29 12 2. ethoxylated alcohol      Conco Sulfate-219 Con Chem  sulfates 3. ethoxylated alkylphenol  Triton      X-301 Rohm/Haas 3.9 ppt, s cl 73 9 42 4 68 10 40 4  sulfates 4. sulfated      acids, amides,  & esters 5. sulfated oils & fats F. Phosphate Esters Na      nonoxynol-6 Emphos CS-1361 Witco  phosphate II. NONIONIC A. Ethoxylates      1. alcohol ethoxylates  Brig 35 ICI Amer 3.8 tr 81 2 61 6 82 2 64 4      alkylated polyether Triton X-100 Rohm/Haas 3.7 tr, s ppt 76 10 66 15 79      9 65 14  alcohol 2. alkylphenol ethoxylates  Igepal CO-660 GAF Co 4.0 tr      78 4 65 7 80 4 61 7 B. Carboxylic (Fatty)  Acid Esters 1. glycerol      esters glycerol monostearate Adacel 165 ICI Amer  glycerol & polyoxy-      Arlacel 165 ICI Amer 3.9 v cl 80 8 48 10 79 6 46 7  ethylene stearate 2.      polyoxyethylene esters  Myrj 525 ICI Amer 3.8 tr 74 3 39 8 75 3 39 8      polyoxyethylene 20 Arlasolve 200 ICI Amer 3.9 tr 80 6 58 5 81 5 57 5      isohexadecyl ether 3. anhydrosorbitol esters  Span 20 ICI Amer 3.9 cl 75      6 44 6 79 5 47 9   Span 40 ICI Amer   Span 60 ICI Amer 4.1 cl 72 9 37 6      73 7 40 7 4. ethoxylated  Tween 20 ICI Amer 3.8 tr 73 2 50 9 77 1 50 10      anhydrosorbitol esters  Tween 60 ICI Amer 3.8 cl 78 3 66 7 81 3 65 8      Tween 80 ICI Amer 5. ethoxylated fats, oils, ethoxylated castor Emulphor      EL719 GAF Co 3.9 s cl 73 4 35 2 75 4 35 1  & waxes oil  polyoxyethylene      Atlox 1045A ICI Amer 4.0 v cl 79 2 44 4 82 2 49 2  sorbitol oleate-      laurate  polyoxyethylene G-1441 ICI Amer 4.0 s cl 81 5 47 13 81 6 43 11      sorbitol lanolin 6. glycerol esters of diethylene glycol  stock 3.5 i 74      7 39 5 75 6 40 7  fatty acids distearate C. Carboxylic Amides 1.      diethanolamine  Condensate PO Con Chem  condensates 2. monoalkanolamine      condensates 3. polyoxyethylene fatty PEG-6-lauramide Amidox L-5 Stepan      4.2 cl 67 16 38 4 67 15 39 3  acid amides D. Polyalkene Oxide  Block      Copolymers 1. poly(oxyethylene-  Pluronic F127 ICI Amer 3.8 tr, fm 77 5      52 17 76 4 49 11  co-oxypropylene)  Pluronic F87 ICI Amer 3.8 tr, fm 81      2 67 2 79 2 61 5 III. CATIONIC A. Amines 1. oxygen-free amines 2. amine      oxides lauramine oxide Armonyx LO Stepan 4.3 ppt, cl 36 9 21 8 38 10 24      6 3. alkylamine ethoxylates  Triton RW-75 Rohm/Haas 8.8 s cl 1 9 -20 8 4      8 -23 11 4. ethylenediamine  Tetronic BASF Wyn 4.0 s cl 82 6 53 8 81 4      47 5  alkoxylates  Polyol-704 5. amines with amide       linkages B. Quarternary coco dimethlammonium Andogen 464 Aldrich 3.5      cl, fm 80 8 52 17 77 8 51 17  Ammonium Salts salt  quarternary ammonium      G-3634A ICI Amer 4.0 tr 77 3 38 6 75 2 36 5  derivative G-263 ICI Amer      3.9 tr 81 3 61 2 83 2 61 2 IV. AMPHOTERIC A. Amino Acids glycine   4.0      cl 50 3 30 7 54 3 34 9  cysteine   2.9 tr 71 2 40 9 74 1 42 10  arginine        9.8 cl 7 10 -24 22 17 11 -16 24  aspartic   2.9 tr 40 8 18 7 37 9 18 6       phenylalanine   3.7 s cl 70 9 48 9 68 7 38 8 B. Imidazolinium alkyl      betaine Emcol CC37-18 Witco      Abbreviations: tr = transparent or clear, cl = cloudy, i = insoluble, fm      foamy, ppt = precipitate, v = very, s = slightly

The incompatibility of amines with aluminum in aqueous solution is due to the relatively high pH of the amines and/or formation of an insoluble aluminum amide salt. The cationic quaternary ammonium salts are, however, functional with aluminum. Regarding the dual charged amphoteric surfactants, those derived from amino acids of glycine, cysteine, and phenylalanine resulted in acceptable ESR scores. Surfactants derived from arginine and aspartic acid provided low ESR scores, presumably because of their inherent high and low pH, respectively.

Based on the results of surfactant/aluminum compatibility tests, compatible surfactant blends can also be utilized to obtain the optimum HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) required to meet the needs of any particular aluminum emulsion system. 

We claim:
 1. A palatable anticariogenic composition adapted for application to teeth, said composition having a pH of about 2.5 to about 5.0 and comprisingabout 10 to about 50,000 ppm aluminum ions capable of reacting with the teeth, water, and a surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyalkoxylated anionic surfactants, cationic polyalkoxyamines, quaternary ammonium salts, and amphoteric surfactants derived from amino acids selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, and phenylalanine, said surfactants being present in an amount effective to stabilize the anticariogenic composition.
 2. The anticariogenic composition of claim 1 in the form of a product selected from the group consisting of a dental rinse, a mouthwash, a toothpaste, a prophylaxis paste, a chewing gum, and a lozenge.
 3. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of about 1 to about 90 weight percent of a humectant selected from glycerin and sugar alcohols, a sweetener, and from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of a flavor oil, and wherein the aluminum ions are present at a level of about 250 to about 2000 ppm.
 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol.
 5. The composition of claim 3 wherein in the sweetener comprises a non-cariogenic sweetener selected from the group consisting of saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the surfactant has an HLB of between about 9 and about
 30. 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyalkoxylated anionic surfactants and cationic polyalkoxyamines.
 8. The composition of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is a quaternary ammonium salt.
 9. The composition of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is a derivative of an amino acid selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine and phenylalanine.
 10. A palatable anticariogenic emulsion adapted for application to teeth, said composition have a pH of about 2.5 to about 5.0 and comprisingabout 10 to about 50,000 ppm aluminum ions capable of reacting with teeth, water, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants, polyalkoxylated anionic surfactants, cationic polyalkoxyamines, quarternary ammonium salts, and amphoteric surfactants derived from amino acids selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, and phenylalanine, about 1 to about 90 weight percent of a humectant selected from glycerine and sugar alcohols, a sweetener, and from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of a flavor oil, said surfactant being present in an amount effective effective to stabilize the anticariogenic emulsion.
 11. The emulsion of claim 10 wherein the aluminum ions are present at a level of about 250 to about 2,000 ppm. 